News

Trans African Concession (TRAC) to test new roadside assistance service for one month, starting Easter weekend

In an attempt to provide a value-added service to road users on the N4, TRAC is investigating practical implications of providing a full time roadside assistance service to road users traveling on the N4.This service, called TRACAssist, will be implemented on a “test basis”, and be available only in South Africa (between Pretoria and Komatipoort). Road users stranded on the N4 and who wish to make use of this service, can contact TRAC on its customer care number: 0800 8722 64 (0800 TRAC N4).

TRACAssist vehicles will be on stand-by on the N4 and will each cover a 100km stretch of the road. The vehicles will attempt to reach a caller needing roadside assistance within 30 minutes from the time of the call.

TRAC will monitor the exercise during the testing period. A decision about the extension of this service (as well as the specific details of the required service) will only be taken after all the results have been analysed. The TRACAssist service will commence during the Easter weekend, and will run for a period of one month.

Emergency Numbers: 112 147 10177

Customer Care Line: 0800 TRAC N4 (0800 8722 64)

Customer Care E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.tracn4.co.za

Route Update – maintenance, upgrading and rehabilitation

Upgrading

Belfast to Wonderfontein

Globul Roads, the contractor responsible for the upgrading of this section of the N4 has already established itself on site. Construction work is conducted under the supervision of the consulting firm, Vela- VKE. The supervisory team consists of experienced engineers, technicians and surveyors.

Upgrading work is being done in sections of +/- 5km. Initial work includes the clearance of the terrain, relocation of services, such as Eskom and Telkom cables, and extending the existing drainage structures.

The South African Roads Agency (SANRAL) also plays a key role in all aspects of the N4 road upgrading and construction work. Therefore, present discussions with land owners regarding accesses, borrow pits and general information is held under SANRAL”s leadership.

Early construction work is not expected to cause major traffic congestion. However, traffic has the tendency to slow down when unusual events are observed. This phenomena normally contributes to safer driving speeds but unfortunately at the same time, distracts drivers” attention from prevailing traffic conditions.

The well known yellow road signs are clearly displayed at construction areas. TRAC appeals to motorists to obey speed restrictions at all times. Special road signs are also displayed to indicate the areas where delays are likely to occur.

Rehabilitation

Schoemanskloof

Routine maintenance work in the Schoemanskloof area is almost complete. A few sections are receiving minor surface treatment and cleaning operations are underway. Very few delays are expected on this section of the road.

Elandskloof

Construction work is nearing completion. Delays were caused by the general shortage of road seal stone. The traveling public will, however, not be subjected to any additional delays as a result of the supply problems. No traffic lanes will be closed to traffic while work cannot continue.

Middelburg-Wonderfontein

Construction of a thin asphalt overlay on the 4 lane undivided N4 freeway between Middelburg and Wonderfontein is underway. Akasia Road Surfacing is the contractor responsible for the work.

Satisfactory progress has been made and construction of the overlay on the fast (middle) lane of the east bound carriageway is complete. The construction team will now work in westerly direction on the fast (middle) lane.

One lane per direction will continue to be closed over short periods which may cause limited traffic disruption.

Middelburg-Witbank

This concrete road section of the N4 is due for major rehabilitation.

TRAC together with the consulting engineering firm, SNA is presently working on designs. Construction work is planned to commence during the second half of 2007.

TRAC appeals to road users to take extreme care where design personnel are surveying the road and taking site measurements.

Machadodorp- Belfast

The last section of road reconstruction is about to be completed. The section adjacent to the well known Milly”s restaurant and filling station will be re-opened to traffic. Gravel layer works on the final section under major rehabilitation is now complete. It is now receiving an asphalt overlay.

The chip and spray seal (which will cover the total section) is currently being undertaken. Should no further delays be experienced, the contractor, Tarman, aims to complete this process shortly.

Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly on or next to freshly opened road sections. Although utmost care is taken to remove loose stones, speeding vehicles often dislodge stone particles which hit vehicles traveling in an opposite direction and cause damage to wind shields.

Route Control – road user assistance

Ø January 2007 Road users assisted 133

Ø February 2007 Road users assisted 116

Ø Total road users assisted by TRAC patrol (Jan – Feb 2007) 249

Road Accident Statictics – N4 Toll Route

(N4 Toll Route – these statistics are for the existing N4 Toll Route from Pretoria to Maputo)

January 2007

1. 88 vehicles were reported to be involved in accidents in South Africa and Mozambique – 72 vehicles in South Africa and 16 vehicles in Mozambique.

2. Single vehicle accidents make up the majority of accidents. 45 in South Africa and 6 in Mozambique.

3. This is followed by 12 head-tail collisions in South Africa, and 2 head-tail collisions in Mozambique.

4. There were 7 head-side collisions in South Africa and 6 head-side collisions in Mozambique.

5. 3 multiple pile-ups were reported in South Africa and none in Mozambique.

February 2007

1. 87 vehicles were involved in accidents in South Africa and Mozambique – 67 in South Africa and 20 in Mozambique.

2. Single vehicle accidents continue to make up the majority accidents reported. In South Africa, 40 of the accidents were single vehicle accidents and 7 accidents in Mozambique involved single vehicles.

3. This is followed by 10 head-tail collisions in South Africa, and 8 head-tail accidents in Mozambique.

4. There were 8 head-side collisions in South Africa and 3 in Mozambique.

5. 5 multiple pile-ups were reported in South Africa. None in Mozambique.

Top 5 causes of accidents in January 2007

1. Negligent driving

2. Tyres – blow out

3. Speeding

4. Sleeping

5. Lost control

Top 5 causes of accidents in February 2007

1. Speeding

2. Negligent driving

3. Sleeping

4. Lost control

5. Tyres – blow out